ChuckC. I can basically guarantee a spawn of YP this spring in your pond providing they are there. I have had open water since Mar 16th. My spawning brush along shore has been in for a week waiting for the first eggs. Weather has struggled to hit 50F so water is still less that optimun of 50F for YP spawn thus no eggs yet. The Xmas tree brush in shallow water of your pond will provide ample spaces for YP egg laying. If weather is normal while eggs hatch then the eggs should have a good hatch. Abundant small BG from last year MAY over crop the YP fry - maybe not. I think if you can keep weeds at a low to moderate level your chances of succeeding are better. I an eager to hear updates of how things progress for you in this pond.
My main concern in your pond is the affects of the first and second LMB spawn on the YOY perch recruitment. You may not see real negative affects of LMB on YP recruitment until the pond is 5-7 yrs old when the first year classes of LMB are 13"-16" and original stocked YP numbers are low due to harvest and natural mortality. I will learn a good things from what goes on in your pond.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/27/08 09:44 PM.
